Firstly, a bit about the latest weather conditions: The main issues are wind and currents, which are slowing crews and pushing some N. The forecasts indicate the winds shifting around to come from the E and ENE within the next 24 hours and staying favourable until the last boat is in.

The current is far more vague and less predictable. There is a strong current that runs S to N between 300 and 400NM out of Antigua. It fluctuates in location, width and strength and therefore no definitive prediction of when crews will escape it can be given.

In case you were wondering where we get our incredibly accurate weather and updates – a Duty Officer is available around the clock to alert the boats to any sudden weather changes, organise any support yachts when they’re required, and even have a chat to them when they’re feeling a bit fed up. Sometimes, their words of support can mean the difference between a quitting or carrying on. Here’s a great example from them just yesterday:

“The best and only solution is to keep working, be stoic and chip away at the miles. The finish is achievable for everyone out there. Every crew has it in them to succeed but now more than ever is the time to dig deep, realise what their potential is and embrace the experience even through the exhaustion and discomfort. This is a challenge, perhaps the greatest adventure challenge there is, and success depends on people pushing through the times when others may quit. No time on the row has positive support been more important. This is more important than time and deadlines – it is life changing and your support can make a huge difference.”

The success and safety of the teams depends on this fantastic support – so we’d like to send a thank you to our incredible team of Duty Officers!

And it’s on to the latest from our rowers. Rowing For Rascals pair-turned-solo Duncan continues to make the journey to Antigua after some personal news and sickness caused Andy to make the difficult decision to pull out of the race. But this hasn’t dampened the spirits of their devoted supporters, who have started their own hash tag – #rowingforrascalsinspiredme – and asked people to print it and upload their selfies/pictures/comments to say how the pair have inspired them. You can join in on that here. Duncan now has less than 400NM to go, so watch this space!

Coventry Five-O have hit the 300NM mark, with no signs of slowing. Adrian, Martin – we’ll see you in Antigua very soon, well done!

Thrift Energyneed your help! With only 400NM to go, but those pesky winds pushing them North and preventing much progress the boys are in need of some motivation. Why not send them a good luck message to get their spirits up? You can do that by emailing here and we shall pass on your words of support. Just as our Duty Officer’s have said, motivation at such a late stage in the race is invaluable to the rowers, and your messages mean the world to them. Show them some love!

Yorkshire RowsSkipper Janette outlined the performance of teamwork in her recent Facebook post. Just as support from the outside world is welcomed, knowing you have the support of your teammates makes the adventure so much more special. Read Janette’s emotionally charged post here – tissues at the ready!

The wind conditions remain positive for all teams, blowing 13-19 knots from the NE until at least 7th January. Keep up with the latest weather updates here at windyty.

Thrift Energy Atlantic Challengeare keeping their spirits high (despite permanent damage to their main water container and Sean’s thumb injury!) by regularly updating their blog, telling us of their hilarious antics at sea! Currently 22nd in all boats, they have hope of getting a bit more distance now that the winds have changed in their favour.

All Beans No Monkeysare also using good humour to get them through their journey. They’ve been repeatedly asked what is the toughest thing about this race, and, as is commonly reported from all of the teams, sleep deprivation tops the list! To show the size of the inside of their sleeping cabin (and their best Elmo impression!) they shared this video on Facebook. Keep up the good work, guys!

News just in! Team Wadadlitook the opportunity to try a spot of fishing this morning – and caught a Mahi Mahi! More on that here.

Finally, to give you some idea of the size and scale of our incredible rowers journey, the JournalStarworked out that:

“George Pagano and Caitlin Miller (Cranial Quest) have rowed the equivalent of the state of Nebraska in just over a week”. Wow!